SCHOOL OF PSYCHOLOGY
Faculty of Health and Life Science
FINAL YEAR PROJECT
Student No: 1911705
Health-related Behaviours and Associated Mental Health Outcomes in a UK Student
Sample
Project Supervisor: Dr Alecia Cousins
Word Count: _______
APRIL 2023
DEGREE SCHEME: B.Sc. Psychology (Single Honours)
,DECLARATION
This final year research project is the result of my own independent work/investigation,
except where otherwise stated. Other sources are acknowledged by footnotes giving explicit
references. A references section is included. I have read the University’s definitions of unfair
practice, plagiarism and collusion and the College’s advice on good academic practice. I
understand that the consequence of committing unfair practice, if proven, may include failure of
my coursework, failure of my module/level or even withdrawal from my programme of study. I
also certify that neither this piece of work, nor any part of it has been submitted in the same
format in connection with another assessment. I understand that my work may be submitted to an
electronic database for the purpose of plagiarism detection.
Student number....1911705.......................................... Date ..28/04/2023......................................
, Abstract
In this study, health-related behaviours (HRBs) of alcohol consumption, drug use, and
physical activity and their association with anxiety, depression, and psychological wellbeing
were investigated using a UK university student sample. A correlational research design was
used to identify these associations to highlight the behavioural causes of rising mental health
conditions and to guide a more accurate framework for future intervention. 80 undergraduates
completed a questionnaire, of which 70 were female, with a mean age of 21.17 years. The main
findings highlighted a significant association between physical activity and all three mental
health outcomes, supportive of previous research. Significant associations were also found
between alcohol consumption and anxiety/depression, and between drug use and anxiety. Wider
implications involve the allocation of funding toward HRB interventions in universities, such as
free-to-access fitness classes, to reduce students’ symptoms of anxiety and depression and
improve overall psychological wellbeing.
Health-related Behaviours and Associated Mental Health Outcomes in a UK Student
Sample
In this study, health-related behaviours (HRBs) associated with the mental health of a UK
student population are investigated, specifically alcohol consumption, drug use, and levels of
physical activity and their effect on anxiety, depression, and psychological wellbeing. Identifying
HRBs associated with students’ mental health will guide us toward more effective lifestyle
, interventions aimed at this demographic, highlighting behavioural causes of rising mental health
conditions and providing a more accurate framework for future intervention.
Background to Students’ Mental Health
Psychological distress is at an all-time high among university students - the number of
UK applicants to UCAS that shared a mental health condition has increased by 450% over the
last decade (N= 21,105; UCAS, 2021). Young adulthood is a challenging time to navigate for
most, and those in higher education face the added performance demands and pressures that
come with it - young adults in university are five times more likely to be diagnosed with a mental
health condition compared to the general population (Stallman, 2011). Depression and anxiety
rates have been increasing in academic environments over the past few decades (Ibrahim et al.,
2013), with around 37% of first-year students displaying symptoms of both depressive and
anxiety disorders (Office for National Statistics, 2021), despite efforts made to increase
awareness and tackle this – clearly, measures have been ineffective. Young adults in university
are especially vulnerable to the psychological impacts of periods of lockdown and social
isolation (O’Connor et al., 2021), and studies have shown pandemic-related increases in both
anxiety and depression (Ahmed et al., 2020; Holman et al., 2020). Choi et al. (2020) referred to
this mental health crisis as the “second pandemic”. Mental health problems amongst the student
population can have negative consequences ranging from mild functional issues to life-
threatening suicidal tendencies. Furthermore, mood disorders can prevent students from
completing their best work, due to their negative effect on energy levels, concentration, mental
ability, and optimism, as well as being linked to dropping out of university completely, forcing
bright minds out of academia, affecting their future employment, potential salary and overall
health (Eisenberg et al, 2007, 2009).
Faculty of Health and Life Science
FINAL YEAR PROJECT
Student No: 1911705
Health-related Behaviours and Associated Mental Health Outcomes in a UK Student
Sample
Project Supervisor: Dr Alecia Cousins
Word Count: _______
APRIL 2023
DEGREE SCHEME: B.Sc. Psychology (Single Honours)
,DECLARATION
This final year research project is the result of my own independent work/investigation,
except where otherwise stated. Other sources are acknowledged by footnotes giving explicit
references. A references section is included. I have read the University’s definitions of unfair
practice, plagiarism and collusion and the College’s advice on good academic practice. I
understand that the consequence of committing unfair practice, if proven, may include failure of
my coursework, failure of my module/level or even withdrawal from my programme of study. I
also certify that neither this piece of work, nor any part of it has been submitted in the same
format in connection with another assessment. I understand that my work may be submitted to an
electronic database for the purpose of plagiarism detection.
Student number....1911705.......................................... Date ..28/04/2023......................................
, Abstract
In this study, health-related behaviours (HRBs) of alcohol consumption, drug use, and
physical activity and their association with anxiety, depression, and psychological wellbeing
were investigated using a UK university student sample. A correlational research design was
used to identify these associations to highlight the behavioural causes of rising mental health
conditions and to guide a more accurate framework for future intervention. 80 undergraduates
completed a questionnaire, of which 70 were female, with a mean age of 21.17 years. The main
findings highlighted a significant association between physical activity and all three mental
health outcomes, supportive of previous research. Significant associations were also found
between alcohol consumption and anxiety/depression, and between drug use and anxiety. Wider
implications involve the allocation of funding toward HRB interventions in universities, such as
free-to-access fitness classes, to reduce students’ symptoms of anxiety and depression and
improve overall psychological wellbeing.
Health-related Behaviours and Associated Mental Health Outcomes in a UK Student
Sample
In this study, health-related behaviours (HRBs) associated with the mental health of a UK
student population are investigated, specifically alcohol consumption, drug use, and levels of
physical activity and their effect on anxiety, depression, and psychological wellbeing. Identifying
HRBs associated with students’ mental health will guide us toward more effective lifestyle
, interventions aimed at this demographic, highlighting behavioural causes of rising mental health
conditions and providing a more accurate framework for future intervention.
Background to Students’ Mental Health
Psychological distress is at an all-time high among university students - the number of
UK applicants to UCAS that shared a mental health condition has increased by 450% over the
last decade (N= 21,105; UCAS, 2021). Young adulthood is a challenging time to navigate for
most, and those in higher education face the added performance demands and pressures that
come with it - young adults in university are five times more likely to be diagnosed with a mental
health condition compared to the general population (Stallman, 2011). Depression and anxiety
rates have been increasing in academic environments over the past few decades (Ibrahim et al.,
2013), with around 37% of first-year students displaying symptoms of both depressive and
anxiety disorders (Office for National Statistics, 2021), despite efforts made to increase
awareness and tackle this – clearly, measures have been ineffective. Young adults in university
are especially vulnerable to the psychological impacts of periods of lockdown and social
isolation (O’Connor et al., 2021), and studies have shown pandemic-related increases in both
anxiety and depression (Ahmed et al., 2020; Holman et al., 2020). Choi et al. (2020) referred to
this mental health crisis as the “second pandemic”. Mental health problems amongst the student
population can have negative consequences ranging from mild functional issues to life-
threatening suicidal tendencies. Furthermore, mood disorders can prevent students from
completing their best work, due to their negative effect on energy levels, concentration, mental
ability, and optimism, as well as being linked to dropping out of university completely, forcing
bright minds out of academia, affecting their future employment, potential salary and overall
health (Eisenberg et al, 2007, 2009).
